Eudokia, Michael VII, and Constantine (May–December 1067)

Obverse

A bearded Christ Emmanuel enthroned, wearing a tunic and himation and holding his right hand uplifted in blessing and a book in his left. He has a nimbus cruciger; each bar of the nimbus is decorated with a single pellet. Sigla at left and right: Ἰ(ησοῦ)ςΧ(ριστό)ς. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

ΕΜΜΑΝΟΥΗΛ

Ἐμμανουήλ.

Reverse

Three figures: in center, Eudokia (tallest) wearing a crown with triangular projections and pendilia. She wears a loros and holds in her right hand a scepter surmounted by a trefoil ornament; at left, Michael (shorter) wearing a trefoil-topped crown with pendilia and a loros and and holding in his right hand a globus cruciger and in his left an akakia; and at right, Constantine (shortest) wearing a crown with pendilia and a loros and holding in his right hand a labarum and in his left a globus cruciger. Circular inscription. Border of dots.

ΕΥΔΟΚ,ΜΙΧΚΩΝΣΤ,Τ,Ρ,

Εὐδοκ(ία), Μιχ(αὴλ) (καὶ) Κωνστ(άν)τ(ιος) β(ασιλεῖς) Ῥ(ωμαίων).

Translation

Εὐδοκία, ΜιχαὴλκαὶΚωνστάντιοςβασιλεῖςῬωμαίων.

Eudokia, Michael and Constantine, basileis of the Romans.

Commentary

Parallel specimen: Zacos–Veglery, no. 91. A similar specimen is published by Seibt, Bleisiegel, no. 23.

Eudokia does not seem to be standing on a dais. On histamena Constantios holds an akakia in the right hand. The trefoil atop Michael’s crown can be seen quite easily on the specimen illustrated by Seibt. We further note that on our specimen Christ’s feet are firmly planted on the ground; on the Vienna seal Christ’s feet dangle like those of a child seated on too high a chair.